Cornstore owner plans overhaul of shopping mall

Galway City Council – Plans for a major overhaul of the Cornstore – which has been “struggling” as a shopping centre since it opened 30 years ago – have been submitted to Galway City Council.

The mall’s owners, Lowstrand Investments Ltd, have sought permission for the replacement of the entrance doors and canopies at each of the entrances to the mall; new shopfronts, windows and signage on St Augustine Street and a change of use from retail to retail, café and restaurant.

The plans also include new toilets and internal entrance doors and shopfronts.

According to the company’s architect, Stephen Walton, the mall has never attracted as many people as it should

“The mall is located within 50 metres of bustling Quay Street, yet in all its years of existence, it has never really attracted people as it should, considering its location and what it offers in providing an all-weather covered mixed retail space.

“As it is used currently, the retail units along the St Augustine Street side have always struggled. These units are often vacant or have had a high turnover of businesses. In the current climate, with the success of online shopping, it is considered unlikely that this situation will improve,” the application reads.
This is a preview only. To read the rest of this article, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. Buy a digital edition of this week’s paper here, or download the app for Android or iPhone.